Will beauty bounce back? In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, many people are not spending as much time or money on some of the daily routines like shaving, hair styling, or elaborate makeup.

Many beauty purchases revolve around going out and socializing, which the current crisis has curtailed. Forecasting for the beauty industry in the upcoming months may prove challenging, as so much remains up in the air.

This post is based on the CNN article, Our grooming habits are changing, by Fiona Sinclair Scott, May 6, 2020, and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: Plush Studios/Blend Images LLC

Discussion Questions:

1. What changes in demand have the beauty industry experienced in recent months?

Guidance: Sales of some beauty products are down, including color cosmetics, fragrance, and lipstick, as women spend more time at home, and public mask-wearing becomes commonplace. At the same time, sales of eye makeup on retail sites is up, with Alibaba reporting 150% increase in mid-February. Since the eyes are the most visible facial feature Continue reading →

Alcohol producers across the U.S. and Canada are shifting production to hand sanitizer to alleviate the shortage of the cleaner in fighting the coronavirus.

Small spirits companies such as Air Co. in New York and BENDT Distilling Co. in Texas are able to use their processing equipment, donated alcohol and bottles, and skill sets to join hands with big industry players such as rum maker Bacardi and Beer maker Auheuser-Busch In Bev to supply hospitals and first responders in their local communities with the much needed virus fighting tool.

As the US faces shortages of N95 masks, this article highlights the challenges of producing them. China, a country that has ramped up production for itself and for the world, has had to overcome major obstacles even with huge government subsidies and help from regulators. Problems ranging from material shortages to building machines threaten the conversion of existing capacity to mask manufacturing.

1. What problems do manufacturers face when they repurpose their facilities for the production of masks?

Guidance: Manufacturers have to overcome their lack of expertise in making new components, set up operations in sterile environments, buy used or new machines, purchase specialized materials in short supply or set up production lines for those materials, experience delivery delays, and train existing and new Continue reading →